Naada Inbam’s Kshetra Sankirthana Vaibhavam series was an exciting musical journey through the temple towns of Tamil Nadu. The thematic concerts were by young artistes. P.
Vikram led a trip to Madurai, Rameswaram and Thanjavur through his singing of kritis attributed to these towns. The tall, majestic towers of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple dominate the skyline of Madurai. Much of the business and life in the city revolves around the temple and its festivals, including the Thirukalyanam [celestial wedding] during the Chithirai Brahmotsavam, the Navarathri festival held during September-October and Masi Mandala Utsavam during February-March.
The temple, dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, finds mention in Sangam literature. The huge complex spread over 14 acres, has 14 colourful gopurams, a thousand-pillared hall, a hundred-pillared hall, the Portramarai kulam (golden lotus pond), and the Kambatthadi mandapam, which is famous for depicting all the 25 forms of Shiva. P.
Vikram chose Madurai, Rameshwaram and Thanjavur for his thematic concert series.| Photo Credit:Courtesy: Naada Inbam Of the nine songs that Vikram rendered, six were on Madurai. The piece de resistance was Syama Sastri’s ‘Sarojadala netri’ on Meenakshi.
His alapana of Sankarabharanam, a sampurna raga, brought out the grandeur and melody of this sarva gamaka rakti raga. Vikram is the son and disciple of vainika-gayaka, S.P.
Ramh. Vikram’s musical assets include a voice capable of negotiat.
